Welcome to my Light The Night Walk homepage.

In February, the Woodbridge Senior Class of '98 lost a great friend, Christopher Blok, after fighting a courageous battle of Burkitt's Lymphoma. He was 28 years old.

In May 2008 he was misdiagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Diffused Large B Cell Lymphoma; Stage 1 Localized, even though his pathology report explicitly stated Burkitt's properties. After three ineffective chemotherapy treatments, in July 2008 he was correctly diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma; Stage 1 Localized. Burkitt's Lymphoma is commonly misdiagnosed, and is one of the most rapidly growing forms of human cancer that can double in size in less than 24 hours. Less than a year later, Chris lost his battle.

But there is something we can do! I am participating in the "Light The Night Walk" on Oct. 17th. Light The Night Walk is The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's evening walk and fundraising event. It is the nation's night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of people battling blood cancers and to commemorate loved ones lost. We all know someone who has been affected by cancer.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) funds lifesaving research that has contributed to major advances in the treatment of blood cancers and treatments for other types of cancer, such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplants. These treatments have helped patients live better, longer lives. New targeted therapies that kill cancer cells without harming normal tissue are providing drugs and procedures that are improving quality of life.

• A donation of $25 provides patients and their loved ones with FREE booklets that contain up-to-date information on their disease and help them make informed decisions about their treatment options.

• A donation of $50 makes possible a Family Support group with a trained facilitator where comfort can be found and experiences can be shared among patients and family members.

• A donation of $100 helps supply laboratory researchers with supplies and materials critical to carrying out their search for cures.

• A donation of $1,000 makes possible one- on-one conversations with health care specialists who provide patients with information about their disease, treatment options, and helps prepare them with questions for their health care team.

Please make a donation to support my participation in the Light The Night Walk and help save lives. Be sure to check my Web site frequently to see my progress, and thanks for your support!